Today, we celebrate the 19th Amendment to the Constitution that granted women the right to vote exactly 101 years ago on August 26th, 1920. Before that, suffragettes had fought for political equality for decades, dating to at least the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. As the battle to vote shows, the road to equality is often long and rocky. Moreover, it is an ongoing process that we need to tirelessly strive for. Half of the nation's population has gained the right to vote, yes, but that is not a place to stop. Inequality, on different scales and in varying forms, continues to affect most people on the earth.

As many prejudices are learned and internalized at a young age, schools have a key role in implementing equality into students' everyday life. How we treat other people is a sum of small things. Schools bring together people from different backgrounds, full of dreams, ideas, skills, and talents. Playing and learning new things together is an empowering example of how together we are so much more, and how we all, essentially, are the same.

So, how can you improve gender equality in the classroom? 

Well, while there is not a single formula on how to improve equality in your classroom, bringing School Day into your classroom can be the first step since, with School Day, you can monitor how students value equality. This, in turn, encourages in-classroom discussions about equality. Moreover, our lesson plan on open-mindedness supports your students to understand the richness of diversity and the importance of appreciating everyone as they are. Having discussions about equality and how it affects wellbeing, both the personal and the collective, helps every student be proud of themselves, regardless of gender or any other quality.

Be the role model of equality to your students. Meet everyone as themselves, celebrate their uniqueness, and find ways in which to bring forth their awesomeness. Tell your students about the history and how the bravery and sacrifice of individuals and groups have changed the world. Most importantly, help create an atmosphere where everyone is respected and feels safe.